Multi-connector assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention can relate to multiple-connector assemblies for use in, for example, electronic devices. Each of the connectors are constrained to another connector by aligning one or more complementary sets of reference features. A locating bracket may be used to couple multiple connectors together. Alternatively, the connectors may be coupled to each other directly. The electronic device also may include a retainer coupled to the connectors (either directly or indirectly through the locating bracket). The retainer and a surface of one of the connectors may form a single plane to which an end cap of the housing may be coupled, thereby accurately locating the end cap with respect to the connectors. The present invention also can relate to methods of manufacturing such an electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/795,473, filed Jun.7, 2010, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/519,308,filed Sep. 11, 2006, and are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can relate to methods and apparatus forconstraining multiple connectors in an electronic device in one or moredegrees of freedom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a consumer electronic device, the distance between an input/output(I/O) connector and the housing of the electronic device and thedistance between multiple I/O connectors can be very important. Forexample, these distances can determine whether and which devices arecompatible with accessories. Accessories can include docks, printers,external storage devices, external displays, speakers, lanyards havingheadphones coupled thereto, and other audio and/or visual outputdevices. If one or more of the connectors are misaligned with any otherconnector, an accessory may not be able to properly couple with thedevice, and may accelerate the amount of wear and tear experienced byone or both sides of the connection.

For example, in some of these electronic devices, the player may havetwo I/O connectors—a multiple-pin connector and a separate audioconnector. If the multiple-pin connector or audio connector, forexample, resides too deep within the housing of the device, accessoriesmay not be able to electrically connect to the device properly. As aresult, the electronic device may not be able to transmit data to orreceive data from an accessory, the user may not be able to hear soundplayed by the electronic device, or the sound quality may be degraded.If the multiple-pin connector and the audio connector are misalignedwith respect to each other, it may be difficult or impossible to coupleaccessories to the electronic device when the accessories are configuredto couple to both connectors simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can include an electronic device having multipleconnectors aligned to each other using one or more complementary sets ofreference features. One embodiment of the present invention can includea locating bracket configured to constrain the connectors in one or moredegrees of freedom. The locating bracket may be coupled to a firstconnector, creating a solid reference feature or structure thataccurately defines the distance to the first connector. The locatingbracket then can be used to couple the first connector with anotherconnector or with other parts of the electronic device. In anotherembodiment, the connectors can be coupled directly to each other throughalignment of complementary reference features disposed on the connectorsthemselves. As a result, the connectors can be constrained in one ormore degrees of freedom without the use of a locating bracket.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device caninclude a retainer that can be coupled to one or more reference featureson the locating bracket, one or more of the connectors, and/or othercomponents of the electronic device. When coupled to the referencefeature(s), the distance from an end cap of the housing to at least oneof the connectors can be precisely defined. The end cap of the housingcan include one or more openings that permit accessories to access theconnectors, e.g., to couple the electronic device to a dock or audiooutput device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description,taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary electronic device that can incorporatethe present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates the assembly of some components of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of some components of the electronicdevice of the FIG. 1A, including a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an assembly of a circuit board and multiple-pinconnector of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a locating bracket of the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly of the circuit board and multiple-pinconnector of FIG. 3 with the locating bracket of FIG. 4 in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an audio connector of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a retainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8A provides an exemplary flowchart of steps for assembling oneembodiment of an electronic device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 8B illustrates an assembly of the circuit board and multiple-pinconnector of FIG. 3, the locating bracket of FIG. 4, the audio connectorof FIG. 6, and the retainer of FIG. 7 in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 8C illustrates the electronic device of FIGS. 2-8B with a compositeconnector from an accessory device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate a third embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary electronic device that can incorporatethe present invention. Electronic device 10 can be any electronic devicehaving multiple connectors or connector parts, e.g., multiple-pinconnector 12 and audio connector 14. The distance from end face 16 ofhousing 17 to connectors 12 and 14 can affect the quality of theelectrical connection between the electronic device and an accessoryconfigured to be coupled to the device, such as a computer, a printer, adisplay, speakers, audio system, headphones, a dock, a lanyard, or acombination thereof. The distance between connectors 12 and 14 also canaffect how well an accessory mechanically and electrically couples toelectronic device 10. If one or more of the connectors are misaligned,accessories may not be able to couple to the device properly, or, moreimportantly, may not be able to access one or more of the connectors atall.

In some electronic devices, connectors may be precisely positionedrelative to each other and to the housing of the device by mechanicallyand electrically coupling the connectors directly to a circuit boardbefore the circuit board is placed in the housing. This assembly thenmay be coupled directly to the housing and the end face.

However, it may not be desirable or possible in some designs of housingsto couple end face 16 directly to the connector/circuit board assemblyand/or to mechanically couple audio connector 14 directly to the circuitboard before the circuit board is disposed within the housing. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1B, housing 18 of electronic device 10 may bedesigned so that it may be more desirable to insert internal componentsof the device into one or more openings 20 a,b disposed at differentsides (e.g., opposing ends) of housing 18 (as opposed to, e.g.,clamshell housing). It may be more desirable to couple multiple-pinconnector 12 to circuit board 22 first (forming circuit board assembly19) and then separately couple audio connector 14 to circuit board 22after circuit board assembly 19 is inserted into housing 18 via opening20 a.

If audio connector 14 had been soldered onto the circuit board beforeinserting the circuit board assembly into housing 18, it may have beendifficult or impossible to insert the assembly fully into the housing,for example, due to obstructions. Such obstructions may includecomponents already disposed within the housing, protrusions or narrowinginside the housing, a small cross-sectional area of opening 20 a, asmall z-height in the interior of the housing, or combinations thereof.As used herein, the z-height of a component may be the thickness of thecomponent in the z-direction as indicated in FIG. 1B.

The obstructions may make it impossible or impractical from amanufacturing standpoint to pre-assemble audio connector 14 to thecircuit board before the circuit board is inserted into the housing. Forexample, user input component 116 may be disposed within housing 18before circuit board assembly 19 is inserted into the housing. If thez-height of user input component 116 reduces the effective z-height ofportions of the housing interior to a value that is less than thez-height of audio connector 14 and less than the z-height of portions ofcircuit board assembly 19, it may be more desirable and practical toinsert circuit board assembly 19 and audio connector 14 from differentopenings 20 a, b and thereafter couple the two together. Furthermore, ifthe z-height of the audio component is only slightly less than that ofthe housing interior, it may not be practical from a manufacturingstandpoint to attempt to slide the audio connector through the interiorlength of the housing.

Accordingly, manufacturing and/or design constraints may deem it moredesirable for multiple-pin connecter 12 (coupled to circuit board 22) tobe inserted into housing 18 via first opening 20 a (as shown by arrow 24a) and audio connector 14 to be inserted into housing 18 via secondopening 20 b (as shown by arrow 24 b). Thereafter, audio connector 14can be electrically and mechanically coupled to circuit board 22 eitherdirectly or indirectly.

This type of manufacturing and design scenario can pose many challenges.When connectors 12 and 14 are separately inserted into housing 18 duringmanufacturing, it may be difficult to precisely locate the connectorswith respect to each other. Furthermore, when end face 16 closes offopening 20 b of housing 18 after components of the device have beeninserted therein, it may be difficult to precisely locate connectors 12and/or 14 with respect to end face 16 in one or more degrees of freedom.

The present invention can constrain multiple connectors or connectorparts in one or more degrees of freedom relative to each other and/or toan end cap of a housing for an electronic device. The present inventioncan accomplish this by providing each connector or part with one or morereferences features to which other connector(s) and/or a locatingbracket can be aligned and coupled. By aligning connector(s) and/orlocating brackets with the reference features, the distance betweenconnectors can be constrained. One embodiment of the present inventioncan also include a retainer that can be coupled to one or more referencefeatures on either the locating bracket, one or more of the connectors,and/or other components of the electronic device. When coupled to thereference feature(s), the distance from an end cap of the housing to atleast one of the connectors may be constrained in a predetermined andrepeatable way.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. Device 30 caninclude housing 32, circuit board 34, multiple-pin connector 36, audioconnector 38, locating bracket 40, and retainer 42. Housing 32 caninclude body portion 46 and openings 48 a and 48 b disposed at opposingends of the housing. Housing 32 also can include end caps 44 a and 44 b.End cap 44 b can include multiple-pin connector opening 50 a and audioconnector opening 50 b disposed through the end cap to permitaccessories to access multiple-pin connector 36 and audio connector 38when device 30 is fully assembled. Locating bracket 40 can create asolid reference feature or structure that accurately defines thedistance to multiple-pin connector 36. This structure then can be usedto couple with other parts in the assembly.

In one embodiment of the present invention, multiple-pin connector 36may have 30 pins that transmit data to and from the electronic device.Multiple-pin connector 36 may be similar to that described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,776,660 to Kubota et al., which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Multiple-pin connector 36 also may have aninterface system similar to that described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/833,689 to Novotney et al., which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. In alternative embodiments, multiple-pinconnector 36 may have any configuration known in the art or otherwise.

During manufacturing, multiple-pin connector 36 can be mechanically andelectrically coupled to circuit board 34. Locating bracket 40 then canbe coupled to multiple-pin connector 36 in a manner described in moredetail hereinbelow. Resulting circuit board assembly 33 can be insertedinto housing 32 through first opening 48 a. A cross-sectional area ofthe circuit board assembly may be equal to or less than that of theopening in order for the circuit board assembly to be insertedtherethrough. If additional electrical components are preassembled tothe circuit board, e.g., a display or battery, the cross-sectional areaof opening 48 a may be large enough to also accommodate those electricalcomponents.

Once circuit board assembly 33 is disposed within the housing, retainer42 and audio connector 38 can be inserted into housing 32 through secondopening 48 b. One skilled in the art can appreciate that cross-sectionalareas of audio connector 38 and retainer 42 each may be equal to or lessthan that of opening 48 b in order for those components to be insertedtherethrough.

Once the retainer and audio connector are disposed within housing, thecomponents may be coupled to multiple-pin connector 36 via locatingbracket 40. This may constrain retainer 42 and audio connector 38 tomultiple-pin connector 36 in one or more degrees of freedom. Outerfacing surfaces on retainer 42 and audio connector 38 can form a singleplane to which end cap 44 b is coupled. End cap 44 a also can be coupledto device 30, closing off opening 48 a of housing 32.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged illustration of multiple-pin connector 36.Multiple-pin connector 36 may be configured to be electrically andmechanically coupled to circuit board 34 before it is inserted into thehousing of the electronic device. Multiple-pin connector 36 canincorporate multiple-pin connector reference feature 52, which in oneembodiment of the present invention, can include a raised extension ofthe multiple-pin connector's inner molded plastic. Alternatively,reference feature 52 may be formed as part of the metal casing of themultiple-pin connector or made separately from the connector and thencoupled thereto. Reference feature 52 (as with all of the referencefeatures discussed herein) can be any shape. In one embodiment,reference feature 52 can have a shape that permits a complementaryreference feature on locating bracket 40 to couple to reference feature52 in a predetermined (e.g., one) configuration. For example, in oneembodiment of the present invention, reference feature 52 may have anelongated body portion with side portions that can cause the referencefeature to be asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the referencefeature.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of locating bracket 40. Locatingbracket can include body portion 54, lip 56, and first bracket referencefeature 58. Lip 56 may be disposed at an angle to body portion 54 andrest against an edge of multiple-pin connector 36 when the locatingbracket is coupled thereto. In one embodiment of the present invention,first bracket reference feature 58 can incorporate a threaded insert towhich audio connector 38 and retainer 42 may be screwed to constrainthose components to multiple-pin connector 36 in one or more degrees offreedom.

Body portion 54 can include solder holes 60 and second bracket referencefeature 62. Locating bracket 40 may be manufactured by stamping andfolding a rigid sheet metal part that can be soldered or welded tomultiple-pin connector 36 via solder holes 60. Alternatively, locatingbracket 40 can be manufactured by another method known in the art orotherwise, and welded, adhered, or otherwise coupled to multiple-pinconnector 36.

Second bracket reference feature 62 may be a cutout having a shape thatcomplements the shape of multiple-pin connector reference feature 52.When bracket 40 is coupled to multiple-pin connector 36, second bracketreference feature 62 may surround raised multiple-pin connectorreference feature 52, thereby constraining the bracket to themultiple-pin connector. Depending on the shapes of features 52 and 62,the bracket may be constrained in or more directions.

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly of circuit board 34, multiple-pinconnector 36, and locating bracket 40 in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, reference feature52 may be a depression in connector 36, rather than a raisedprotuberance. Correspondingly, reference feature 62 in locating bracket40 then may include a protuberance having a complementary shape. Also,reference feature 52 may include more than one structure orprotuberance, with a like number of complementary reference features onlocating bracket 40. Reference features 52 and 62 may have complementaryshapes that couple to each other so that locating bracket 40 can beconstrained to multiple-pin connector 36.

Second bracket reference feature 62 also may have additional cutoutshaving shapes that complement the shape of multiple-pin connectorreference feature 52. This can permit bracket 40 to constrain connector36 to other components in multiple orientations or positions. Secondbracket reference feature 62 also may have additional cutouts havingdifferent shapes. This can permit bracket 40 to couple to differenttypes of connectors or connector parts having different multiple-pinconnector reference features.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary audio connector of the presentinvention. Audio connector 38 can include body portion 64 within whichaudio jack receptacle 66 may be disposed. Audio connector 38 also canincorporate audio connector reference feature 68 for aligning to firstbracket reference feature 58. Audio connector reference feature 68 caninclude through-hole 70 having an inner surface that may be threaded orsmooth. In one embodiment of the present invention, the internal surfaceof through-hole 70 may have a smooth surface that may be dimensioned toprovide a clearance fit to a screw that may be used to align and coupleaudio connector 38 to locating bracket 40.

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative retainer of the present invention. Retainer42 can include body portion 72, first retainer reference feature 74,appendage 76, and second retainer reference feature 78.

Body portion 72 can incorporate cutout 80 and third and fourth retainerreference features 82 and 84. When retainer 42 is assembled to theelectronic device, cutout 80 may be disposed over multiple-pin connector36 to provide accessories with access to the multiple-pin connector.Third and fourth retainer reference features 82 and 84 can includethrough-holes into which screws can be inserted to align and coupleretainer 42 to complementary reference features (not shown) that can bedisposed in multiple-pin connector 36, housing 32, and/or anotherstructure of electronic device 30. Alternatively, solder may be disposedwithin the through-holes of reference features 82 and 84.

First retainer reference feature 74 can include through-hole 86 havingan inner surface that may be threaded or smooth. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, the internal surface of through-hole 86 may havea smooth surface that may be dimensioned to provide a clearance fit to ascrew that may be used to align and couple retainer 42 to locatingbracket 40.

Appendage 76 can couple first reference feature 74 to second referencefeature 78. Second reference feature 78 can include a hole through whicha screw can be inserted to align and couple retainer 42 to acomplementary reference feature (not shown) that can be disposed oncircuit board 34, housing 32, or another structure of electronic device30. Alternatively, solder may be disposed within the through-holes ofreference feature 78. Reference feature 78 also may be aligned andcoupled to a complementary reference feature disposed on inner facingsurface 87 of audio connector 38 to further constrain audio connector 38to multiple-pin connector 36 (via the intervening components).

FIG. 8A illustrates a flowchart of steps for assembling one embodimentof an electronic device of the present invention. In step 81, locatingbracket 40 first may be coupled to multiple-pin connector 36. This cancreate a solid reference feature or structure that can accurately definethe distance to multiple-pin connector 36. This structure then can beused to couple with other components in electronic device 30. In step83, multiple-pin connector 36 and locating bracket 40, along with thecircuit board, then may be inserted into housing 32 via first opening 48a.

Thereafter, in step 85, retainer 42 can be inserted through secondopening 48 b of housing 32. In step 87, first retainer reference feature74 can be aligned to bracket reference feature 58. Audio connector 38also can be inserted through second opening 48 b of housing 32 (step 89)and audio connector reference feature 68 also can be aligned to bracketreference feature 58 (step 91). In step 93, retainer 42 and audioconnector 38 can be coupled to bracket 40 by, for example, threading ascrew through holes 70 and 86 of audio connector 38 and retainer 42 anddriving the screw into bracket reference feature 58 of bracket 40. Oncethe retainer and audio connector have been coupled to the bracket, theyare coupled indirectly to multiple-pin connector 36 (via bracket 40) andmay be precisely constrained to the multiple-pin connector in one ormore degrees of freedom. Retainer 42 and audio connector 38 also may becoupled to other structures in electronic device 30 by aligning theirrespective remaining reference features with complementary referencefeatures disposed throughout the electronic device. Audio connector 38may be electrically coupled to circuit board 34 in a manner described ingreater detail in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/519,388filed on Sep. 11, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,660,127, issued Feb. 9,2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety

Once audio connector 38 and retainer 42 are coupled to locating bracket40, outer facing surface 88 of audio connector 38 and outer facingsurface 90 of retainer 42 may form a single plane that may be accuratelylocated to multiple-pin connector 36. However, any predeterminedorientation of these parts is possible. In step 95, openings 50 a and 50b of end cap 44 b then can be aligned to cutout 80 of retainer 42 andaudio jack receptacle 66 respectively. Thereafter, in step 97, end cap44 b can be coupled to the single plane formed by surfaces 88 and 90 byadhesion or another method known in the art or otherwise.

FIG. 8B illustrates an assembly of circuit board 34, multiple-pinconnector 36, locating bracket 40, audio connector 38, retainer 42, andend cap 44 b in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

While retainer 42 is illustrated as sitting flush against an outerfacing surface of multiple-pin connector 36, retainer 42 may beconfigured in alternative embodiments to sit at a predetermined distancefrom the outer facing surface of multiple-pin connector 36, which canprovide a datum from which other components of the electronic device maybe located. Support structures may be disposed between multiple-pinconnector 36 and retainer 42 to help support retainer 42 in the properconfiguration with respect to multiple-pin connector 36. Likewise, endcap 44 b also may be configured in alternative embodiments to sit at apredetermined distance from retainer 42.

FIG. 8C illustrates the electronic device of FIGS. 2-8B with compositeconnector 99 of an accessory. Accessories may include a computer, aprinter, a display, an audio system, speakers, headphones, a dock, alanyard, or a combination thereof. Complementary multiple-pin connector101 and complementary audio jack 103 may be integrated with compositeconnector 99. Complementary multiple-pin connector 101 may be configuredto mechanically and electrically couple to multiple-pin connector 36 ofelectronic device 30. Complementary audio jack 103 may be configured toelectrically and mechanically couple to audio jack receptacle 66 ofaudio connector 38 of electronic device 30.

If multiple-pin connector 36 and audio connector 38 are not alignedproperly to each other, it may be difficult or impossible for a user toinsert the complementary connector and audio jack of the compositeconnector into electronic device 30. Similarly, if either multiple-pinconnector 36 or audio connector 38, for example, are disposed too deepwith respect to end cap 44 b, multiple-pin connector 101 or audio jack103 may not be able to electrically connect to electronic device 30properly. The present invention can reduce the likelihood that theseproblems will occur.

FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. Onedifference between the first and second embodiments is that the locatingbracket may be eliminated in the second embodiment. Instead,multiple-pin connector 92 can include reference feature 94 that mayserve the same function as bracket reference feature 58 of locatingbracket 40 of the embodiment of FIGS. 2-8C. Reference feature 94 ofmultiple-pin connector 92 can incorporate a threaded insert to whichaudio connector 38 and retainer 42 may be screwed to constrain thosecomponents to multiple-pin connector 92. Advantageously, coupling audioconnector 38 and retainer 42 directly to multiple-pin connector 92 mayconstrain the audio connector and the retainer to the multiple-pinconnector with greater precision and fewer parts.

FIGS. 10A-B presents a third embodiment of the present invention. Thethird embodiment of the present invention may be designed similarly tothe previously described embodiments except in two respects. First, theretainer can be integrated with either locating bracket 40 of theembodiment of FIGS. 2-8C or multiple-pin connector 92 of the embodimentof FIG. 9. Second, the audio connector can be coupled to locatingbracket 40 of the embodiment of FIGS. 2-8C or multiple-pin connector 92of the embodiment of FIG. 9 with an alternative fastener.

Rather than having a retainer that is structurally independent of othercomponents of an electronic device, the function of the retainer can beintegrated with either locating bracket 40 of FIGS. 2-8C or multiple-pinconnector 92 of FIG. 9. That is, multiple-pin connector 92 may includeretaining portion 96 that can extend the depth of the multiple-pinconnector so that outer facing. surface 98 of the connector forms asingle plane (or any predetermined surface) with outer facing surface100 of audio connector 102 when the components are assembled together.End cap 44 b then can be coupled to that single plane, therebyaccurately locating the end cap with respect to the multiple-pinconnector. Likewise, locating bracket 40 may integrate body portion 72of retainer 42 (see FIG. 7), thereby providing outer surface 98 to whichend cap 44 b may be coupled. While FIGS. 10A and 10B only show a portionof retaining portion 96, it should be understood that retaining portion96 can extend along the longitudinal length of locating bracket 40 ormultiple-pin connector 92.

Instead of coupling the audio connector to locating bracket 40 of FIGS.2-8C or multiple-pin connector 92 of FIG. 9 with a separate fastener,such as a screw, audio connector 102 of FIGS. 10A and 10B can be coupledto the locating bracket or multiple-pin connector with a self-lockingfastener. Self-locking fastener, which can serve as a reference featurefor audio connector 102, can include shaft 104 and head 106. Head 106may have a cross-sectional area that can be larger than the shaft atleast at a portion of the head.

The self-locking fastener may be configured to be coupled tocomplementary reference feature 108 disposed in locating bracket 40 ofFIGS. 2-8C or multiple-pin connector 92 of FIG. 9. Reference feature 108can include through-hole 110 having a cross-sectional shape that cancomplement that of head 106. In one embodiment of the present invention,head 106 and through-hole 110 can have shapes that facilitate insertionof head 106 into through-hole 110 but can prevent head 106 from beingeasily pulled out of through-hole 110 once at least a portion of thehead has cleared at least a portion of the through-hole. In theembodiment of FIGS. 10A-10B, when head 106 is inserted through hole 110,shaft 104 may be disposed within hole 110 while head 106 rests againstan outer surface of reference feature 108.

Audio connector 102 also may have reference feature 112 configured tocouple to reference feature 114 of locating bracket 40 of FIGS. 2-8C ormultiple-pin connector 92 of FIG. 9. Reference feature 112 may include ashaft having any cross-sectional shape that may be uniform along thelength of the shaft. Reference feature 114 may include a through-holehaving a shape that may be complementary to that of reference feature112. When reference feature 112 is coupled to reference feature 114,audio connector 102 may be prevented from rotating with respect tolocating bracket 40 or multiple-pin connector 92.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above in detail, it will be understood that this descriptionis merely for purposes of illustration. Alternative embodiments of thosedescribed hereinabove are also within the scope of the presentinvention. For example, although FIGS. 2-10B have presented some methodsand devices to couple together multiple components of an electronicdevice, an electronic device may use other types of coupling methods ordevices known in the art or otherwise, e.g., other types of self-lockingfasteners, clips, bolts, adhesives, etc.

Although the embodiments of the present invention presented hereinabovedescribe pin and audio connectors, the present invention may be appliedto constrain other types of connectors in one or more degrees of freedomwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,the connectors can transmit or receive audio, video, other data, or acombination thereof. Furthermore, while the embodiments of the presentinvention illustrate two connectors being constrained, the teachings ofthe present invention may be applied to constrain any number ofconnectors.

While the description provided herein describes some components of anelectronic device, the device may include additional components, e.g.,user input components 116, display 118, and/or additional components ofthe electronic device that have not been shown for simplicity ofillustration.

User input component 116 can provide an interface for a user to inputinformation into the electronic device. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, user input component 116 may be a trackwheel similar to thatused by an iPod™ sold by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Thetrackwheel can include one or more buttons for selecting softwareentries and a capacitive touchpad. The touchpad may permit a user toscroll through software menus. In alternative embodiments, user inputcomponent 116 may include, for example, one or more buttons, a touchpad,a touchscreen display, electronics for accepting voice commands,antennas, infrared ports, or combinations thereof.

Combinations of the above-described embodiments of the present inventionor portions thereof may be provided in one electronic device unit.

One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, while theabove-described embodiments of the present invention may facilitatecertain manufacturing techniques and/or housing designs, thoseembodiments are not necessarily limited thereto. For example, while thedescribed embodiments of the present invention may facilitate assemblyof components into the electronic device housing from openings disposedon opposing ends of the housing, the embodiments also may beincorporated into an electronic device having housings in which the mainbody of the housing includes multiple parts. An example of such amulti-part housing includes a clamshell housing. The housing of anelectronic device of the present invention also may include housings inwhich the main body includes only one piece. An example of such ahousing includes housing 18 and 32 of FIGS. 1B and 2. A housing of thepresent invention may provide only one opening through which componentsare inserted or multiple openings that can be disposed, for example, onmultiple sides of the housing.

The present invention can be incorporated in any electronic device,including any portable, mobile, hand-held, or miniature consumerelectronic device that may require multiple connectors or connectorparts. Illustrative electronic devices can include, but are not limitedto, music players, video players, still image players, game players,other media players, music recorders, video recorders, cameras, othermedia recorders, radios, medical equipment, calculators, cellularphones, other wireless communication devices, personal digitalassistances, programmable remote controls, pagers, laptop computers,printers, or combinations thereof. Miniature electronic devices may havea form factor that is smaller than that of hand-held devices.Illustrative miniature electronic devices can include, but are notlimited to, watches, rings, necklaces, belts, accessories for belts,headsets, accessories for shoes, virtual reality devices, other wearableelectronics, accessories for sporting equipment, accessories for fitnessequipment, key chains, or combinations thereof.

The above described embodiments of the present invention are presentedfor purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the presentinvention is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable electronic device comprising: ahousing having first and second openings disposed at different sides ofthe housing; a first assembly comprising at least one circuit boardcoupled to a first connector, the first connector having a firstreference feature, wherein the first opening has dimensions that permitthe first assembly to be inserted therethrough, wherein the firstreference feature includes a shaft and a compressible head that extendsfrom the shaft; and a second connector directly coupled to the firstconnector, the second connector having a second reference featurealigned to the first reference feature, wherein the second opening hasdimensions that permit the second connector to be inserted therethrough,wherein the second reference feature includes a third opening havingdimensions that permit the compressible head to be insertedtherethrough.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the secondconnector comprises a first surface and the first connector comprises asecond surface, the first and second surfaces forming a single planewhen the second connector is coupled to the first assembly.
 3. Theelectronic device of claim 2, wherein the housing further comprises anend cap, wherein the end cap is coupled to the single plane formed bythe first and second surfaces, the end cap having fourth and fifthopenings, the fourth opening providing external access to the firstconnector, the fifth opening providing external access to the secondconnector.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the firstconnector is a multiple-pin connector.
 5. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the second connector is an audio connector.
 6. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a hand-heldelectronic device.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein theelectronic device is a miniature electronic device.
 8. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the first connector further includes a thirdreference feature, and wherein the second connector further includes afourth reference feature.
 9. A portable electronic device comprising: ahousing having first and second openings disposed at different sides ofthe housing; a first assembly comprising at least one circuit boardcoupled to a first connector, the first connector having first andsecond reference features, wherein the first opening has dimensions thatpermit the first assembly to be inserted therethrough; and a secondconnector directly coupled to the first connector, the second connectorhaving third and fourth reference features, wherein the third referencefeature is configured to receive the first reference feature such thatthe first and second connectors are constrained in a first degree offreedom, wherein the fourth reference feature is configured to receivethe second reference features such that the first and second connectorsare constrained in a second degree of freedom.
 10. The electronic deviceof claim 9, wherein the first reference feature includes a shaft. 11.The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first connector is amultiple-pin connector.
 12. The electronic device of claim 9, whereinthe second connector is an audio connector.
 13. The electronic device ofclaim 9, wherein the second connector comprises a first surface, theelectronic device further comprising a retainer having a second surface,the first and second surfaces forming a single plane when the retaineris coupled to the first assembly.
 14. The electronic device of claim 13,wherein the retainer further comprises a retainer opening and theretainer opening is disposed over the first connector to provideexternal access to the first connector.
 15. The electronic device ofclaim 13, wherein the housing further comprises an end cap, wherein theend cap is coupled to the single plane formed by the first and secondsurfaces, the end cap having third and fourth openings, the thirdopening providing external access to the first connector, the fourthopening providing external access to the second connector.
 16. Anelectronic device comprising: a housing including an end cap having afirst opening; a first assembly within the housing, the first assemblycomprising at least one circuit board coupled to a first connector, thefirst connector having a second opening at an exterior surface of thehousing; a second connector; a bracket, the bracket coupled to the firstconnector and to the second connector, the bracket constraining thefirst connector to the second connector in at least one degree offreedom, the bracket having a third opening; and wherein the first,second and third openings are concentric.
 17. The electronic device ofclaim 16, wherein the bracket is coupled to the second connector by oneof solder, a screw, and an adhesive.
 18. The electronic device of claim16, wherein the second connector includes a fourth opening at anexterior surface of the housing.
 19. The electronic device of claim 16,wherein the first connector is a multiple-pin connector.
 20. Theelectronic device of claim 16, wherein the second connector is an audioconnector.